Writing-tablet.



110. 760,211. PATENTBD MAY 17, 1904.

- A. P. JONES.

WRITING TABLET.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16. 1904.

N0 MODEL.

/%Z72 65565. hue/723x? UNITED STATES Patented May 1'7, 1904.

PATENT OEEicE.

WRITING-TABLET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 760,211, dated May 1'7, 1904.

Application filed March 16, 1904. Ser al No. 198,474. (No model.)

To MM whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ANTOINETTE P. J onus, of

Falmouth, in the county of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Writing-Tablets; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This invention has .reference to improvements in writing-tablets, and particularly to improvements in such devices for the use of the blind or partially blind.

The object of the invention is to so construct a writing tablet that a lateral and vertical guide may be provided, which guide may be followed by the writers fingers or by the writing implement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a guide for indicatinga generally lateral direction, such guide being so constructed that a limited vertical movement of the writing implement may be had, the tendency of the guide being to resist such vertical movement without positively obstructing the same.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description.

The invention consists in a writing-tablet adapted to support a writing-surface and furnished with a series of raised guides adapted to yield in a direction at an angle from their lines of extension.

The invention also consists in a writing-tablet adapted to support a writing-surface and furnished with a series of raised portions adapted to guide the writing implement or the writers hand laterally, while permittinga limited vertical movement thereof.

The invention also consists in a writing-tablet adapted to support a writing-surface and furnished with a series of raised guides adapted to be deflected under lateral pressure.

The invention also consists in the combination, with the raised guide, of the indicator engageable therewith and adapted to mark the point at which writing has ceased.

The invention also consists in the construction of the writing-tablet.

The invention also consists in such other novel features of construction and combination of parts as shall hereinafter be more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the improved tablet. Fig. 2 represents a crosssectional view of some of the guides, showing the construction of the stopping-indicator and the manner in which it is engaged on one of the guides. Fig. 3 represents a side elevation of portions of the tablet. Fig. 4 represents a similar view showing a modified construction of the device wherein the guides, not necessarily flexible, are secured in a frame which is mounted to yield under lateral strain exerted on the guides.

Similar numbers of reference designate corresponding parts throughout.

In carrying this invention into practice my main object has been to so construct a writ ing-tablet that the blind or those having imperfect vision might be so guided in writing upon a surface with which said tablet is provided that transverse lines may be generally followed without such obstruction being presented as will prevent the formation of those portions of letters, &c., which ordinarily extend below the line. This object is attained by the use of raised guides extending transversely of the writing-surface and adapted to yield to transverse strain whether by reason of the flexibility of the guides or by reason of the manner in which they are mounted.

As shown in the drawings in its preferred form, 5 indicates a base of suitable rigidity and having a smooth upper surface on which is secured the frame comprising the side members 6 6 and the upper end 7 of a thickness somewhat exceeding that of an ordinary sheet of paper, as the paper 8 shown in position in said frame. The office of said frame is to prevent the accidental displacement of the paper, this being assisted somewhat by the keeper 9, fitting closely between the ends of the members 6 6 after the insertion of the paper.

On the base 5 are mounted the strips 10 10, each having a series of perforations suitably spaced in which the end portions of the proferably flexible guides 12 12 are mounted. These guides may have any desired cross-section'al shape and of course may be of any suitable material to accomplish the functions for which they are designed, such being the guiding of a writing implement in a general lateral direction while permitting of the deflection of said guide by the writing implement in its downward movement, as in the writing of the loop of a letter below the general line in which said guide extends.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings I have illustrated a modified construction of this device, in which 13 represents one of a pair of parallel strips suitably mounted and having the longitudinal slots, as 14, and stop-pins, as 15. Through the slots, as 14., extend the guides 16 16,the ends of which are secured in the member 17, so'

that the guides 16 are free to move in the slots, as 14, when suflicient pressure is brought against such guides to overcome the action of the spring 18, secured to the members 17, and to the strips, as 13, and exertinga strain on said members 17 to continually draw the same upward that is, toward the top of the Writing-tablet.

To provide means for designating the point at which writing is stopped before the page is filled, I use the indicator 19, formed of rubber, cork, or other somewhat elastic material, having the slot 20, in which one of the guides may be gripped to prevent accidental displacement of the indicator.

The size and shape of the tablet are not material and may be considerably varied without affecting the invention in any manner.

I. do not wish to restrict myself to this particular construction, as I am aware that modifications thereof, of which I have illustrated one, can be made.

It is evident that the guides may extend laterally or longitudinally.

I do not wish to confine myself to the use of any particular material for the guides, it being understood that these guides are not limited to any particular degree of flexibility or rigidity, except that they should be sufliciently rigid to guide the fingers or implement held thereby in one general direction without unduly resisting intended deviations of the fingers or the implement from said general direction.

It should be understood that this device is particularly designed for the use of the blind or partially blind, whose sense of touch is very acute. It is therefore apparent that the guides need not be as large as herein shown, nor need they be raised very much above the writing-surface. In fact, the cross-sectional size and shape of the guides and the flexibility of the same should somewhat depend upon the sensitiveness of touch of the user or his or her personal preference.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A writing-tablet comprising a series of guides adapted to direct a writing implement in one general direction and adapted to yield under pressure of said implement exerted in a direction transverse to said general direction.

2. A writing-tablet comprising means for supporting a writing-surface and a series of yielding guides supported above such means.

3. A Writing-tablet comprising means for supporting a writing-surface and a series of transverse yielding guides supported above such means.

4. A writing-tablet comprising means for supporting a writing-surface and a series of flexible guides positioned with respect to such surface that a writing implement moved on said surface will be guided laterally thereof but may overcome the guiding tendency of said guides by a pressure exerted transversely to the extension of the guides.

5. A writing-tablet comprising a base furnished with raised strips and a series of parallel flexible wires in the nature of guides mounted in said strips.

6. The combination with a base having a pair of raised strips, and a series of parallel flexible wires secured in said strips of a frame adapted to contain a sheet or sheets of paper beneath said wires and having a top and side members, and a keeper fitting between the side members.

7. The combination with a writing-tablet having a series of raised guides of an indicator formed of elastic material and having a slot engageable on one of said guides as and for the purpose described,

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANTOINETTE P. JONES. Witnesses:

M. WV. HATCH, ADDIE F. H. HowE. 

